KMJ/Fresno's Bulldog Broadcaster Bill Woodward Dead at 81

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Bill Woodward

Bill Woodward, who served the Valley as the radio voice of the Fresno State Bulldogs for 37 years, has died. The Selma native passed away in May in Washington State at the age of 81. Woodward retired from KMJ-AM/Fresno in 2010 after almost 40 years, where his voice had been synonymous with Central Valley sports. He was also inducted into the Fresno State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.

"Bill was a wonderful mentor. Such gravitas. A true professional. A legend in the broadcasting industry. There's a reason he's forever remembered in the Fresno State Athletics Hall of Fame", said KMJ Program Director Blake Taylor. "I miss him and his play-by-play of Bulldogs sports will always have a place in my heart."

Woodward was the Red Wave's eyewitness to history from 1972 to 2008 as play-by-play announcer for more than 2,000 football, basketball, and baseball games on KMJ. Though players, coaches, and athletic directors would change many times, Woodward was a constant for Bulldogs fans. His time behind the microphone spanned Fresno State's athletic development from a small-college program into a well-known player on the national stage.

"I've made a lot of friends here, a lot of folks I'll miss, but it's time to move on," Woodward said at the time of his retirement. "I'm looking forward to this next adventure."